Council approves KLAC rental request

Town council has approved a request from the Kirkland Lake Aquatic Club Stingrays request to rent the Aquatic Center sponsorship board at a cost of 10% up to $800 per year. In a letter to council KLAC President Melanie Dube stated “KLAC has had a long-standing history with respect to its own sponsorship board for a set price (approximately $600-$800 per year). This was negotiated years before and renegotiated about five years ago. The rational for this was to allow for flexible coverage for our sponsors on a tiered level of benefits of advertising. We as a group often highlight businesses with signage that choose to give donations (TShirts, Cameras etc.) rather than solely relying on sign purchases directly. The format from the complex (ie: like that of the Gold Miners) registering businesses and taking a percentage for each sponsor did not coincide with our sponsorship format. In addition, our club is not in a position financially for this model given increasing pool costs and steady decline of swimmers particularly over the last 3-4 years. The Community Complex has always supported a flat rate (approximately $600-$800 per year). Dube’s letter went on to read “In September we campaigned for sponsors/donators in kind as usual and we are met with a common concern of lack of advertising space by most businesses. This cost KLAC a decline in donations/sponsorship in excess of $7000.00 minimum. This impact alone is very alarming for our club. “Decreased sponsors result in increased costs for our families. Increased costs result in less registrations which impact directly on our pool rental time. Our businesses completely understand that it is difficult for clubs that is run solely on donations and registration fees to provide opportunities for local young athletes. They however need a substantial degree of advertising to make it worth the sponsorship. “We hope that you would consider renting the sponsorship board for a fee of 10% up to a $800.00 maximum this and the following years. This would fit into our sponsorship program in which many businesses do not directly donate/rent advertising space but we need to honor them. This will help meet our financial needs and in turn KLAC can continue to offer swimming at a highly competitive level for an increased times per week pool rental. Together we can showcase the Aquatic Centre to its highest level. “We anticipate that this will meet the needs of our potential sponsors, highlight our dedication to this town and our 40-year-old commitment to competitive swimming. We would like to do this within the budget constraints of 10% up to a maximum of $800.”